Shock (2)

At the same time, Stefan also recognized Matthew. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he asked with a smile, “How could it be you?”

His voice sounded somewhat abrupt in the silent hall. His tone carried a hint of playfulness, but also a trace of imperceptible tension.

“Didn't we put that business at the training hall behind us last time? I gave you twenty gold coins to turn the page, didn't I? What, was that guy's hands dirty, and the 'settlement fee' wasn't enough to satisfy you?”

Matthew reached up to touch his face, not knowing when the mask he had prepared had slipped off.

He looked at his opponent, raising his vigilance to the absolute highest. With a thought, his Spirit spread out silently like an invisible spiderweb, enveloping the entire first-floor hall and sensing every movement in every corner.

At the same time, the life energy within his body began to circulate silently. Although his 【Feathering】 state was not fully active, it was primed and ready, ensuring he could respond to any sudden change with thunderous force at any moment.

On the surface, however, he did not show the slightest hint of it.

In the face of Stefan's probing, a similarly cold smile appeared on Matthew's face. His tone was as flat as if he were discussing the weather. “Indeed, it wasn't quite enough.”

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the chest of treasure on the table that had just been opened and had not yet been fully sorted—it was part of the wooden chest dug up from Nathan's courtyard, with some gold coins and miscellaneous items currently scattered about.

“After all, what I lost last time wasn't just face, but also time, and... patience.” Matthew's tone remained steady, but it carried an underlying, unquestionable edge. “The little money you gave was only enough to cover the disturbance fee. As for the 'follow-up service' and 'mental compensation,' it seems to be far from enough.”

He raised his eyes, looking back at Stefan on the stairs, his gaze calm and tranquil. “So, I had to come and get some more myself. After all, your Blood Hand Gang has a massive business, so you probably don't lack this pocket change, do you?”

Stefan's brow furrowed imperceptibly upon hearing this.

He scrutinized Matthew, seemingly trying to judge the truth of his words.

Someone who dared to charge alone into the Blood Hand Gang's inner city stronghold just because "the money wasn't enough"?

The reason sounded both arrogant and absurd, but looking at Matthew's calm expression and the strength he had just displayed, it didn't seem entirely impossible.

“Heh, you certainly have a large appetite.” Stefan sneered, his fingers tightening around his short blade. “Just for that bit of 'pocket change,' you killed two of my brothers?”

“Haha,” as soon as Matthew's voice fell, he immediately activated 【Feathering】 seamlessly, his figure moving rapidly to strike first!

Taking a step forward, his body blurred into a white shadow. His longsword, carrying a scorching halo, thrust straight toward Stefan's throat.

Stefan moved almost at the exact same instant. Shifting his foot, he took half a step to the side, dodging the sword tip with precision.

The dark, heavy flail in his hand was already swinging. With a clink of the chain, the counterweight ball at the tip lunged like a venomous snake, carrying a dull whistling wind as it smashed ruthlessly toward Matthew's left ribs from the side.

This strike was angled awkwardly and packed with vicious force. It was clearly not a split-second reaction, but a move anticipated well in advance.

Matthew's pupils shrank slightly. Before his sword strike could lose momentum, his left arm, enveloped in Silver Rank life energy, swept inward to block.

“Bang!”

The counterweight ball slammed heavily against his arm guard, producing a dull thud.

Matthew's figure swayed slightly as he used the momentum to drift back two steps, dispersing the impact. Stefan was also pushed back half a step by the counterforce, pulling the flail back to his side with a soft rattle of the chain.

In the blink of an eye, neither side had gained the upper hand in their first exchange.

Both of their hearts sank simultaneously!

Matthew's gaze grew even colder. He had used seventy percent of his strength in that sword strike, combined with the extreme speed of 【Feathering】. An ordinary Silver Rank expert would find it extremely difficult to dodge so effortlessly, let alone launch such a precise and ruthless counterattack in an instant.

Though Stefan appeared crude and wild, his anticipation and composure in actual combat far exceeded expectations. Furthermore, his handling of the flail hid softness within hardness, making it sinister and difficult to defend against.

Stefan was even more shocked.

He remained outwardly unperturbed, but his gaze was locked firmly onto Matthew's youthful face.

The speed of that sword strike just now was almost too fast for the eye to track. Had it not been for his instincts honed from decades of life-and-death combat and his pre-emptive alertness, he would have likely fallen victim to it.

Moreover, after taking a direct hit from the flail, the opponent had only swayed slightly before stopping. His immense arm strength and stable stance clearly indicated the solid foundation of a Silver Rank expert—but this face... was so young?!

He had seen many exceptionally talented young Class holders, but it was absolutely unprecedented for someone of this age to possess such a seasoned combat rhythm and steady mindset. This was not a superficial realm built up by potions or secret techniques, but skills genuinely forged through life and death.

“What a fast sword... and what a stable stance.” Stefan's voice was low, the veins on the back of his hand gripping the flail bulging slightly. “At such a young age, a Silver Rank?”

Matthew did not answer. He merely held his longsword across his chest, the thin layer of white light on the blade flowing endlessly, reflecting his increasingly cold eyes.

The hall was thick with killing intent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. Only the wind outside the window wailed like a sob.

The moment the wind abruptly stopped, the two figures moved again!

Matthew initiated the attack again!

Under 【Feathering】, his speed increased by another thirty percent. His figure turned into an elongated afterimage. No longer thrusting directly, he took an unconventional angle. With a flick of his sword tip, three scorching, cold starlight-like points burst forth, targeting Stefan's throat, chest, and the wrist holding the flail!

The wind from the sword tore through the air, letting out a sharp, brief whistle.

Stefan's pupils contracted, but he swung his flail into motion.

The heavy counterweight ball did not clash directly with the sword tip. Instead, the chain rattled open, drawing an airtight black circle half a foot in front of him.

“Clang! Clang! Clang!” Three crisp sounds rang out almost as one. Sparks showered as he deflected all the sword strikes with precision.

He had actually wielded the flail with the agility of a short whip!

Yet Matthew's offensive was not over!

Borrowing the counterforce from the sword, his body twisted in an eerie arc, gliding like a swimming fish toward Stefan's open left side. He swept his longsword upward in a diagonal slash, the white light bursting forth as he aimed straight for the opening beneath the other man's ribs.

When blocking the flail earlier, he had already caught a glimpse of the slightly weaker defense in this spot.

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